Sat Apr 05 19:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Malayalam Superstar Prithviraj Sukumaran Faces Backlash After Controversial Film
**KOCHI, KERALA –** Malayalam actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran is facing intense criticism and legal scrutiny following the release of his latest film, *L2: Empuraan*. The movie, starring Mohanlal, includes a 15-minute sequence referencing the 2002 Gujarat riots and criticizing central investigative agencies, sparking a strong right-wing backlash.
The RSS mouthpiece, Organiser, labeled Sukumaran a “voice of the anti-nationals,” citing his past involvement in the ‘Save Lakshadweep’ campaign and anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests. His previous films, including *Kuruthi* and *Jana Gana Mana*, have also been accused of promoting extremist ideologies. The controversy has intensified with an Income Tax notice served to Sukumaran regarding his earnings from co-productions, shortly after an Enforcement Directorate raid on one of *Empuraan*’s producers.
While Sukumaran has cultivated a more diplomatic image over his career, he has maintained a history of outspokenness, sometimes incurring the wrath of Kerala’s film bodies. However, he’s also been lauded for his progressive stances, notably his apology for past roles that glorified misogyny and his criticism of the Malayalam film industry’s handling of sexual harassment allegations.
Despite the controversy, *Empuraan* has become one of the biggest commercial successes in Malayalam cinema history. While the film has received mixed reviews, the political debate surrounding its portrayal of the Gujarat riots continues. Sukumaran himself has remained largely silent on the matter, including the 24 voluntary cuts made to the film, a silence that contrasts with Mohanlal’s expression of regret. His future actions and statements will likely determine the lasting impact of this controversy on his career.
First Piper 